1. ACTIVE VOICE VS. PASSIVE VOICE
Mrs. Burhenn

2. What is active voice?
In active voice, the subject is the doer of the verb. The subject does something.
Example: He threw the ball for the touchdown.
Who is the subject? He. Does ‘He’ do something? Yes. What? Throw.

3. What is passive voice?
In passive voice, the verb’s direct object is the subject. So, the subject is not doing something, but something is being done to it.
Example: The ball was thrown by Favre for the touchdown.
What is the subject? The ball. Is ‘ball’ doing something? No.

4. You try!
The man must have eaten five hamburgers.
ACTIVE!!

5. At each concert, at least one tune from a well-known opera was sung by the soprano.
PASSIVE!!

6. The letter was mailed by Marilyn.
PASSIVE!!

7. Colorful parrots live in rainforests.
ACTIVE!!

8. Why does it matter?
Because it is more direct, most writers prefer to use active voice. It is simpler to read.
Passive voice is the better choice when the doer of the action is unknown, unwanted, or unneeded in the sentence.
Passive voice is also used when the writer wants to place emphasis on the action, rather than the doer, in the sentence.
Passive voice will also add to sentence variety.